Daily Archive : Friday October 12, 2012

News

Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival set for Oct. 26Waukegan Public Library submissionStorytellers will perform celebrated Ray Bradbury stories to pay homage to his colorful, penetrating, and spooky characters and stories at the Seventh Annual Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival. It is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the historic Genesee Theatre in downtown Waukegan.

Police search Chain O’ Lakes for Volo mom, 2 girls
By Deborah Donovan The Lake County Sheriff’s Marine Unit is searching boat launch areas and beaches in the Chain O’ Lakes as well as canvassing the area between Volo and Wauconda in search of a women and her two young children who have been missing for a week. In the meantime, friends plan a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. today at the woman’s Volo home and have established a Facebook page to help in the search.

Parolee held in attack on doctor and wife
Associated PressPolice in Kankakee say a 35-year-old Bradley man slit his own throat and told police he killed two people.Officers went to the address the man provided Friday morning and found two victims, a man pronounced dead at the scene and a severely injured woman.

Large shed burns in Wheeling
By Christopher PlacekA large shed caught fire Friday in Wheeling, causing some $20,000 worth of damage, authorities said. The blaze broke out at an asphalt maintenance contractor’s yard at 165 Hinz Road about 5 p.m.

West Chicago man faces 10 felony charges
By Elena FerrarinA West Chicago man faces 10 domestic violence-related felony charges after first eluding police and later being arrested while hiding in the alleged victims’ attic armed with a knife, police said. He is accused of confining three people to a basement, pushing them down the stairs and beating them.

Romney criticizes Biden on consulate attack
Associated PressBroadening his attack on administration foreign policy, Mitt Romney accused Vice President Joe Biden on Friday of “doubling down on denial” in a dispute over security at a diplomatic post in Libya that was overrun by terrorists who killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans. “The vice president directly contradicted the sworn testimony of State Department officials,” the Republican...

McHenry County couple accused of wake burglaries face new charges
By Lenore T. AdkinsA Johnsburg husband and wife already being held in Cook County on burglary charges, found themselves in even more hot water Friday, after McHenry County police connected them to five burglaries they say occurred while the homeowners were attending wakes or funerals.

Steakhouse owner doesn’t want to be ‘Joe the Plumber’ of 8th District
By Mike RiopellA Schaumburg steakhouse owner who became the subject of an offered bet in the debate between Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh and Democrat Tammy Duckworth said President Barack Obama’s health care plan could hurt his business. But he said he doesn't want to be perceived as favoring either side in the debate, adding. “I don’t want to be Joe the Plumber.”

Mexican mayor says boy shot by U.S. agent 7 times
Associated PressA teenage boy apparently killed this week by a U.S. Border Patrol agent was hit seven times by gunfire and died on a sidewalk just across the Arizona-Mexico border, a mayor in Mexico said Friday. “It was a burst of gunfire,” Nogales Mayor Ramon Guzman Munoz told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “It was a hail of bullets.”

Lone survivor testifies at Ohio Craigslist trial
Associated PressHoping to land a farm job and move close to his family, Scott Davis met his new boss and walked with him through the autumn-color woodlands of southeast Ohio last year. Then he heard the click of a gun at the back of his head. “I spun around,” the soft-spoken Davis told a hushed courtroom Friday at the murder trial of Brogan Rafferty, a 17-year-old charged in a plot to lure victims through phony...

Teen who posted video on bullying found dead
Associated PressAuthorities say a 15-year-old British Columbia girl was found dead in an apparent suicide, weeks after posting a haunting YouTube video detailing years of bullying that she said drove her to drugs and alcohol.

Ethics allegations fly in Pankau-Cullerton Senate race
By Marie WilsonWhile researching 23rd District state Sen. Carole Pankau’s opponent in the Nov. 6 election, her campaign staff found two campaign-related emails and a phone call from Villa Park Village President Tom Cullerton’s municipal accounts that may indicate violations of ethics and campaign disclosure regulations. Pankau says the actions are lapses in ethical judgment, but Cullerton defends them.

Images: Shuttle Endeavour’s Final Mission
Images of the space shuttle Endeavour's 12-mile road trip from its Los Angeles International Airport hangar en route to the California Science Center, its ultimate destination. Crowds gathered as the behemoth craft moved over the streets of L.A. on an 160-wheeled carrier.

Candidates for Congress, state offices to speak at upcoming forumBy Mick ZawislakNearly two dozen synagogues have joined to present a candidate forum on Monday featuring candidates from a variety of offices.Twenty-three synagogues with several Jewish communal groups and day schools are hosting the event from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim, 1201 E. Lake-Cook Road, Deerfield. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.

Father of boy killed in crash admits he used marijuana
By Lee FilasAn Island Lake man pleaded guilty Friday to driving a car with drugs in his system when he was involved in an accident that killed his 10-year-old son in December 2011. Scott Shirey, 50, of the 3300 block of Concordia Drive, pleaded guilty to a single count of aggravated driving under the influence of cannabis in Lake County circuit court Friday.

Authorities: Body is that of missing Colorado girlAssociated PressA body found in a suburban Denver park was identified Friday as that of a missing 10-year-old girl, as anxious parents kept close watch over their children because of the potential presence of a predator in their midst, authorities said. The body of Jessica Ridgeway was found Wednesday about 7 miles southwest of her home. Authorities said it was not intact, and DNA was used to identify her.

Pakistani police make arrests in shooting of girl Associated PressKHAR, Pakistan — Pakistani police have arrested a number of suspects in the case of a 14-year-old girl shot and wounded by the Taliban for promoting education for girls and criticizing the fundamentalist Islamic movement, officials said Friday.

Tentative deal reached in Evergreen Park strike
Associated PressStudents could be back in school next week in South suburban Evergreen Park after negotiators reached a tentative deal to end a teachers strike. The strike has left about 1,800 students out of class since Oct. 2.

Lunches at Chicago school contained rat droppings
Associated PressSeveral students at a Chicago high school became after eating school lunches that officials believe were contaminated with rat droppings. Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman Marielle Sainvilus said the district immediately closed the kitchen after learning of the problem at Emil G. Hirsch Metropolitan High School.

Emanuel praises former schools chief
Associated PressChicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel praised former schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard’s professionalism and said he should be proud of the work he did, including laying the groundwork for the longer school day and school year. “Hold your head high,” he said.

Report finds errors in death investigations
Associated PressA special investigator found problems with more than a quarter of the death-related cases investigated by the Illinois Department of Human Services’ inspector general, according to a report released Friday. Michael McCotter was appointed in July by Gov. Pat Quinn to look into problems in the office after the Belleville News-Democrat revealed that since 2003 the inspector general hadn’t...

District 300 teachers to take strike vote Sunday
By Larissa ChinwahTeachers in Community Unit District 300 will meet Sunday to vote whether to strike. The president of the teachers union said her bargaining team feels like the district has stopped making movement on important issues like class sizes and teacher pay. "No one want to take strike and I understand the need to bargain in good faith," union president Kolleen Hanetho said. "But if what it takes is to...

Police say Waukegan High employee had sex with student
By Lee FilasA Waukegan Unit District 60 employee is charged with having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, authorities said Friday. Timothy Kinsey, 44, of the 1600 block of 11th Street in Waukegan, was arrested Oct. 10 and charged with five counts of domestic battery and two counts of criminal sexual assault, Waukegan Police Cmdr. Gabe Guzman said.

Student wins health award:
Daily Herald reportDalia Anguiano, 17, a senior at Zion-Benton Township High School has been recognized as a young health activist for her work in two youth programs at the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center.

Pollwatchers credentials, training:
Daily Herald reportLake County pollwatcher credentials are available to qualified political organizations needing credentials for the Nov. 6 General Election.

Political pins on display:
Daily Herald reportThe Ela Historical Society and Museum at 95 E. Main St., Lake Zurich has a political pin collection on display.

Geneva teachers declare contract impasse
By Susan SarkauskasThe Geneva teachers union has declared negotiations with the school district over a new contract are at an impasse. The main issue? A proposed salary freeze.

One-day District 46 strike near Crystal Lake over
By Christopher Placek and Lee FilasA teachers’ strike in Prairie Grove School District 46 near Crystal Lake is over the same day it began. School district officials announced late Friday afternoon that an agreement had been reached with the 74-member Prairie Grove Teachers’ Association, which represents instructors at the Prairie Grove elementary and junior high schools, both located on Route 176.

Judge delays Drew Peterson’s sentencing until 2013
Associated PressDrew Peterson, convicted in the drowning death of his third wife, was scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 26. But on Friday, Will County Judge Edward Burmila granted a request from Peterson attorney Joel Brodsky to sentence the former Bolingbrook police sergeant on Jan. 10.

Will Metra prices go up again?
By Marni PykeAfter weathering fare hikes of up to 30 percent to pay for operating costs in February, Metra riders might be hit with an increase again. This time, the jump could range from 1 percent to 10 percent with the money intended for capital projects, according to Metra budget proposals.

Pineda wants to keep top job in West Chicago
By Justin KmitchWhen Ruben Pineda was appointed acting mayor of West Chicago in May, it was under the most unfortunate circumstances: the death of friend and political ally Mike Kwasman. Next spring Pineda hopes to win the post the old-fashioned way: by winning an election. “It’s been a very emotional five months, but it’s been a great five months,” said Pineda, 52.

Rockford man charged in stabbing, Huntley cab hijacking
By Lee FilasA Rockford man was arrested Thursday night after he stabbed a cab driver in the neck in a mall parking lot in Huntley and stole the cab, ditching it in Rockford, authorities said. Police said the cab contained $20 and a cellular phone.

Judge declares Baker fit to stand trial
By Lee FilasDaniel Baker of Deerfield is mentally fit to stand trial for the April 2010 murder of a 50-year-old Vernon Hills woman, a Lake County judge ruled Friday. Judge Daniel Shanes said Baker understands the charges against him and is able to assist defense attorneys in his trial, now scheduled to begin Monday in Waukegan.

Tri-Cities police reports
Kelly D. Chally, 34, of Geneva, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday after a single-vehicle crash at Norris and Bliss roads near Sugar Grove, according to a sheriff’s report. Chally had to be extricated from the vehicle and she had a blood alcohol concentration of .245, police said.

Judge rejects self-defense argument in Naperville bar stabbing
By Josh StockingerA Lombard man was convicted of aggravated battery Friday for stabbing a bouncer during a scuffle at a Naperville bar. Adam Hearn, 33, was acquitted of attempted murder a day earlier by DuPage County Judge George Bakalis, who on Friday also declined to convict him of armed violence.

New principals happy to be working in District 57
By Matt AradoMount Prospect Elemetnary District 57 has had a lot of turnover at the top recently, but two new energetic principals have hit the ground running. Both Jason Kaiz and Daniel Ophus say the welcoming school community is helping his transition to the new job.

Visit ‘A Haunting in the Valley’ in Schaumburg
By Eric PetersonIf there’s anything better than a haunted house to mark Halloween, it would have to be a whole haunted forest to wander through after dark. The Schaumburg Park District is providing such an experience on the trails of the Spring Valley Nature Center at 1111 E. Schaumburg Road from 6:15 to 9:30 p.m. on both Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27.

Barrington Scarecrow Festival moves indoors
Daily Herald reportForecasts for thunderstorms Saturday have led organizers of the Barrington Scarecrow Festival to move the event from its planned location at Memorial Park across the street to Hough Street School gymnasium, 310 S. Hough Street.

Kane Co. chairman candidates vague on Settler’s Hill redevelopmentBy James FullerIt’s one of the largest economic development opportunities Kane County officials have been involved in for several years, but neither candidate for county board chairman has detailed any definitive vision for what they would like to see at the 700-acre Fabyan Parkway campus. Republican Chris Lauzen and Democrat Sue Klinkhamer met in another debate Thursday evening in Batavia.

Clinton: U.S. must stick by Arab world’s democracies
Associated PressSecretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the United States must continue sending diplomats and aid workers to the Arab world’s emerging democracies, despite last month’s deadly attack in Libya.

Lawyer fighting names release in prostitution caseAssociated PressCurious residents in this seaside community may have to wait to learn which of their friends and neighbors stand accused of giving business to a fitness instructor charged with running a prostitution operation out of her Zumba studio.

Islamic militants help seize missile base in Syria
Associated PressFighters from a shadowy militant group with suspected links to al-Qaida joined Syrian rebels in seizing a government missile defense base in northern Syria on Friday, according to activists and amateur video. It was unclear if the rebels were able to hold the base after the attack, and analysts questioned whether they would be able to make use of any of the missiles they may have spirited away.

Backers, critics of Egypt president clash in Cairo
Associated PressThousands of supporters and opponents of Egypt’s new Islamist president clashed in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Friday, hurling stones and concrete and swinging sticks at each other in the first such violence since Mohammed Morsi took office more than three months ago.

42nd District candidates pledge to trigger change in Springfield By Christopher Placek
Two candidates for the Illinois House of Representatives both describe themselves as independent thinkers who would effect change in Springfield. But they disagree on how effective the other would be, based upon which side of the aisle they would sit. Republican Jeanne Ives is facing Democrat William Adams in the Nov. 6 election for a 2-year term to represent the 42nd District.

Morrison, Rudd vying for 54th House District seatBy Kimberly PohlThe race for the 54th House District seats features a freshman lawmaker and a political newcomer with very different fiscal views and polar opposite social positions. Republican state Rep. Tom Morrison, a small-business owner, will face Democrat Richard Rudd, a carpenter.

Plaza won’t run again in Lake in the Hills
By Elena FerrarinAfter serving for four terms as village president in Lake in the Hills, Ed Plaza announced he will not seek re-election in April. It’s simply time to move on, said Plaza, 59. “I am not one who is in favor of someone holding a position ad infinitum.”

Illinois' child welfare agency cancels layoffsAssociated Press
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services canceled plans to lay off 375 employees after state lawmakers signaled they were willing to restore some of the millions of dollars in department funding that had been cut from next year's budget. The agency's director, Richard Calica, announced the change in a memo to staff Thursday.

Hanover Park Fire Dept. hosting open house Oct. 13
Submitted by the Hanover Park Fire DepartmentThe Hanover Park Fire Department will host its annual open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Fire Station No. 1, 6850 Barrington Road. The free event will feature station tours and demonstrations such as vehicle extrication and the Illinois State Police vehicle rollover simulator. Community organizations will put on displays and firefighters will show off the engines, tower...

District 211 board members seek re-election
By Jessica CilellaThree members of the Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board of education, including its longtime president, plan to seek re-election in the spring. Board President Robert LeFevre, Secretary Edward Yung and Anna Klimkowicz all confirm they are running for another four-year term in the April 2013 elections. Theirs are the only seats up for election in the spring.

Tour of Elk Grove, other races may face more drug testingBy Madhu KrishnamurthyThe fallout from disgraced cycling legend Lance Armstrong’s doping scandal may include more drug testing at top-tier races, including the Northwest suburbs’ own Tour of Elk Grove, according to the head of the United States sanctioning body for competitive cycling. “We are expanding our (drug) testing into recreational racers,” said Steve Johnson, president and CEO of Colorado-based USA Cycling.

Algonquin church hosts photo race fundraiser
By Elena FerrarinThe Congregational Church of Algonquin is hosting a “Photo Road Rally” contest on Saturday, Oct. 20, where teams will be given a list of people, places and things, and will have two hours to zip around McHenry County to take at least two photos for each category. Registration closes on Sunday, Oct. 14.

Images: Photo Contest Finalists Each week you submit your favorite photo. We pick the best of the bunch and select 12 finalists. Here are the finalists for the week of October 8th.

Moving Picture: Vinyl rules at Barrington record shopBy Bob Chwedyk
John Thominet is a true vinyl junkie. Since his first purchase of "Surfin’ Safari" by The Beach Boys as a 9-year-old, he’s been hopelessly hooked on wax tracks. His Rainbow Records store in Barrington is jam-packed with thousands of LPs, new and used, a veritable candy store for record addicts.

Naperville unveiling electric car charging station By Justin Kmitch
The first of possibly several electric vehicle charging stations is being unveiled by the city of Naperville. City officials will flip the switch on the city's first public station Tuesday. The raffle winners selected to win five residential electric charging stations will also be announced.

EU detractors slam Nobel Peace Prize decision
Associated PressLONDON — While some Europeans swelled with pride when the European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize, howls of derision erupted from the continent’s large band of skeptics.

Minn. lawsuit may be 1st from meningitis outbreak
Associated PressMINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota woman who may have received tainted steroid injections blamed for the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis sued the drug seller on Thursday, though she hasn’t been diagnosed with the rare illness.The federal lawsuit appears to be the first stemming from the outbreak, though many lawsuits are expected.

Judge to sentence Ind. doctor who hid for 5 years
Associated PressA federal judge is scheduled to decide how long a former Indiana surgeon captured in Italy after five years on the run will spend in prison after pleading guilty to 22 counts of health care fraud.

VP debate tees up closing issues for Romney, Obama
Associated PressWith just 25 days to go in Campaign 2012 and throngs of people already voting, Obama and Romney will try to answer two questions that their running mates posed to the tens of millions of Americans who watched Thursday’s hard-fought, 90-minute debate. “Who do you trust?” Biden asked. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a job-creator in the White House?” asked Ryan.

Young whooping cranes follow ultralight to Florida
Associated PressA group of young whooping cranes being led by small planes has started their long trek from Wisconsin to Florida. The six cranes are the 12th group to take part in a project led by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership. It’s an international coalition of public and private groups reintroducing the species in eastern North America.

Apple products a hit with Dist. 15 grant program
By Kimberly PohlIt’s a safe bet that Apple is a fan of Palatine Township Elementary District 15. The 12,000-student school district’s educational foundation this week announced it will purchase 61 new iPads for recipients of its Mini-Grant program.

Dryden STEM project finishes 2nd in national contest
By Melissa SilverbergStudents and staff at Dryden Elementary in Arlington Heights are celebrating a national recognition and the $5,000 prize that came with it last week. Fifth-grade art teacher Tricia Fuglestad and her students came in second place in the annual McGraw-Hill STEM Innovative Educator awards.

Des Plaines resident earns medal for preventing suicide
By Madhu KrishnamurthyDes Plaines city officials recently awarded a Citizen’s Service Medal to resident Jennifer Causey for preventing a woman from committing suicide by jumping off the Interstate 90 overpass at Elmhurst Road.

DuPage Symphony’s season draws inspiration from literature
By Sara HookerThe DuPage Symphony Orchestra doesn’t typically have a recommended reading list. This year is a bit different with a five-concert subscription series focusing on literary greats, starting with Saturday’s season opener, “Great Expectations.”

Dolls, owners invited to tea
Associated PressDoesn’t your favorite doll deserve an afternoon out? The Vermilion County Museum Society is calling all dolls — of all sizes, ages and styles — and their owners to enjoy “Tea for Two, Your Doll and You.” The program will start at noon Oct. 16 at the museum, and will feature a luncheon with dainty food and a presentation about doll collecting and the art of dolls.Speaker will be Julia Furman of...

IndianaI-74 section reopens day after tanker crash
Associated PressHighway crews worked through the night to replace pavement on Interstate 74 in central Indiana after a tanker carrying diesel fuel crashed and burned.The fire badly damaged the road surface, causing authorities to close I-74’s eastbound lanes about 15 miles southeast of Indianapolis near the Shelby County town of Fairland. Crews repaved the section and it reopened Friday morning.

Chicago-area attorney named to appellate court
Associated PressThe Illinois Supreme Court has announced the appointment of a new state appellate court judge. Court officials say Chicago-area attorney John B. Simon will fill the vacancy created by the death of Michael Murphy, who died Oct. 1.

Bird gets caught in engine of American flight
Associated PressAmerican Airlines says a bird got caught in the engine of a Chicago-to-Miami flight but that the passenger jet landed safely. Airline spokesman Matt Miller said late Thursday that the American flight “took a bird strike just prior to landing” at Miami International Airport.

$1 million bond in death of Kenosha woman
Associated PressBond of $1 million cash has been set for a Kenosha man accused of beating and strangling a co-worker and leaving her body in a cemetery. Lisa Marie Mezera was found dead in a Somers cemetery Aug. 19. A criminal complaint says a man she worked with was the last person seen with 26-year-old victim and that DNA evidence ties him to the fatal attack.

Parent tackles teen with fake gun at Ind. school
Associated PressPolice say a parent tackled a teenager after he pulled out what appeared to be a handgun at an Evansville high school. Police say the 16-year-old’s weapon turned out to be a BB gun that looked like handgun. Students at Bosse High School told police the boy waved the weapon during an argument Wednesday evening when he tried to talk with an ex-girlfriend who is part of the school’s marching band.

Hospital partnership credited for baby's survivalBy Melissa Silverberg
Zachary Kordik was born at only 27 weeks, his lungs filling up with fluid and requiring emergency heart surgery for any hope of survival. “We didn't know if he would make it. It was just the scariest time of my life,” said Brynn Kordik. But surgeons from Lurie Children's Hospital and Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights worked together to safe his life.

Bears players to hold fundraiser for slain fan’s family By Bob Susnjara
One week after a Lake Villa Township man was killed in a Jacksonville, Fla., bar while in town to see the Bears play, some current and former players are hosting a fundraiser for his family. Chicago Bears tight end Kellen Davis has initiated the Saturday night fundraiser for the family of William Christopher Pettry.

Images: Biden vs. Ryan in vice presidential debate
Associated PressVice President Joe Biden and challenging vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan go head to head in a debate in which neither candidate held back with claims and counterclaims, attacks and responses, even jeers at each other.

Elgin DNA honors locals making positive impact on the city
By Tara García MathewsonThe people responsible for creating a safe zone in Downtown Elgin to protect humankind from the zombie apocalypse were recognized Thursday by the Downtown Neighborhood Association. The DNA’s prom-themed awards gala included prom photos, dancing, dinner and the announcement of the award recipients, chosen from a pool of nominees highlighted for their contributions to the city’s revitalization and...

Sports

Williams, Streamwood run past Elgin By Steve Nichols
When the postseason door shuts on a Upstate River and district rivals like Elgin and Streamwood, both teams turn to pride which becomes such a major factor the last few weeks of the season. But how Streamwood factored pride into the equation couldn’t have been more symbolic on a run by fullback Vince Williams in the fourth quarter of Streamwood’s 27-8 win at Memorial Field Friday night.

Michigan wants to get Toussaint going against Illini
Associated PressMichigan has proved it can win by leaning on Denard Robinson’s legs. It happened again last week when Robinson ran for 245 yards at Purdue. The 25th-ranked Wolverines might be able to get away with just letting Robinson run against Illinois on Saturday at home. But it will help Robinson, and the team, if handing off to Fitzgerald Toussaint becomes an effective option.

Burlington Central suffers loss at Rock Falls
Daily Herald reportGiveaways plagued Burlington Central in a 29-21 Big Northern Conference crossover defeat at Rock Falls on Friday night. “Turnovers were definitely an issue; I think we had five,” Central coach Rich Crabel said. “Our preparation was good and we knew what they were going to do. We just didn’t make plays defensively when we had the opportunity to, and we had a few too many turnovers.”

Images: St. Viator beats Marian CatholicThe St. Viator High School Lion football fans hosted and won 31-21 over the Marian Catholic High School Spartans in Friday night football in Arlington Heights on Oct. 12.

West Aurora’s Thomas scores 2 defensive TDs
By Chris WalkerWest Aurora senior Spencer Thomas was at the right place at the right time on Friday night in Aurora. Perhaps he was being a bit too modest. Thomas returned an interception for a touchdown in the first half and scooped up a fumble for a touchdown in the second half as West Aurora took advantage of six West Chicago turnovers, snapping a six-game losing streak with a 35-9 victory.

Marmion runs over Aurora Central
By Craig BrueskeRecords can be deceiving. Scoring on all 5 of its first-half possessions, Marmion built a commanding 35-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 41-7 Suburban Christian Conference crossover victory over visiting Aurora Central Catholic Friday night at Fichtel Field in Aurora.

Neuqua clinches share of UEC Valley
By D.J. WanbergWhat is hoped by the Neuqua Valley football team to be a long and successful latter part of the season started Friday night in Roselle. The Wildcats (8-0, 5-0 Upstate Eight Valley) clinched a share of the conference title with a 53-23 win over Lake Park. It’s the first league prize for Neuqua since 2006. A win over Bartlett in the regular-season finale next week gives the Wildcats the title outright.

Line paves the way for WW South
By Mike KrizmanWheaton Warrenville South coach Ron Muhitch singled out his offensive line’s performance during Friday night’s DuPage Valley showdown against Glenbard East. The play of Kyle Joyce, Jonathan Callaway, Richard Metzger, Ryan McCarthy, Francis Garcia and tight end Bryan Welch paved the way for a dominating running game that led to the Tigers scoring 35 unanswered points between the second and third quarters.

St. Charles North slips past LarkinBy Dave HeunIt had all the makings of an annual homecoming celebration, because that’s what it was. More importantly, the postseason essentially started for St. Charles North, which needed to win over visiting Larkin on Friday night and next week against South Elgin to have a shot at the state playoffs.Behind 3 touchdowns from running back Evan Kurtz, the North Stars (4-4, 4-2) made good on the first step of that journey with a 33-24 Upstate Eight River victory that looked and smelled like a season opener for the most part because of erratic play and a load of penalties.“It wasn’t pretty at all, and we told the kids we wanted them to play playoff football and this was nowhere near playoff football,” St. Charles North coach Mark Gould said.Gould said his team had “a real fun week of practice this week,” but added, “that’s exactly how we played.”He didn’t mean that in a good way, even though the North Stars kept their postseason hopes alive by outlasting an undermanned, but game Larkin squad.Kurtz and fellow running back George Edlund, (21 carries, 220 yards), who tallied a 49-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, were the main offensive bright spots for the North Stars.“Our offense moved the ball well tonight, but we just couldn’t put Larkin away when we had to do it,” Gould said. “We’re going to have to play much better because that’s not going to get it done next week.”Kurtz helped make sure the North Stars got it done on this night, opening the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run four minutes into the game after St. Charles North took advantage of starting its first drive on the Larkin 40-yard line after a short punt.Kurtz added a 14-yard scoring run late in the first half to go along with Edlund’s long scoring jaunt. The North Stars needed both scores to offset Larkin’s two first-half scores — a 63-yard lightning-bolt touchdown run from Damion Clemons and a 35-yard touchdown reception from Dante Bonds.“We came into this game knowing Larkin was going to battle us hard,” Kurtz said. “Our offensive line did a great job of pushing through and driving them off the line, and that was a big part of us establishing our running game.”Neither team had much luck with extra points, with the North Stars’ Kat Stutesman finally kicking one through the uprights after Kurtz’ second TD for the only extra point either team could muster in the first half.When the North Stars scored on a 15-yard pass from quarterback Erik Miller to Zachary Kirby, Edlund powered in for the 2-point conversion and a 27-12 lead early in the third quarter.Larkin’s passing attack tailed off in the second half, and the Royals’ offense stalled in the process. Kurtz barreled into the end zone from 9 yards out midway through the fourth quarter for a 33-12 lead and what appeared to be a sealing blow.But the Royals responded quickly on the very next play, as Clemons ripped off his second 63-yard touchdown sprint of the night. Larkin (2-6, 1-4) blocked a North Star punt moments later, setting up a short field that allowed Maurece Herrion-Jackson to score on a 1-yard run with 3:07 left in the game. When the 2-point run failed, the North Stars dodged the bullet and lived to play another meaningful game next week.“Next week has to be fun, but in a different way,” Gould said. “We were too sloppy, with too many penalties, and that won’t work in South Elgin.”Larkin coach Mike Scianna feels his team is finally getting its footing, giving foes a competitive contest despite as many as six or seven players playing both offense and defense.“Some of our juniors are finally stepping up,” Scianna said. “I felt them coming on when we lost to Batavia 48-0 because we were starting to hit and get physical, and I could see it in practices and games.”Scianna said quarterback Kemmerin Blalark is a key for his team. “We are becoming a good team at this point and we can play pretty well when we have our quarterback,” Scianna said.

Geneva outscores Metea Valley
By Dave OberhelmanWhatever that was Friday night on Geneva’s Burgess Field, it sure looked like fun. Unless you played defense.

Bartlett secures playoff berth
By Jerry FitzpatrickBartlett hit South Elgin with the type of one-two punch most high school defenses Kant-Ever stop. Senior tight end Chris Kantzavelos (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) caught 2 touchdowns passes, and 198-pound workhorse Aaron Everson rushed 38 times for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns and threw for another score to lead Bartlett to a 27-7 victory over their District U-46 rival in an Upstate Eight Valley clash at Millennium Field Friday night.

Huntley primed for postseason after big win
By Marty MaciaszekKam Sallee and Jason Wright knew the Huntley football program was headed in the right direction when John Hart took over in mid-April. On a cold and crisp mid-October Friday night, the Red Raiders showed that direction is a path to the postseason after they scored the first 35 points of the Fox Valley Conference crossover and plowed past host Woodstock 49-21 at Larry Dale Field.

St. Viator nears return to postseason
By Dick QuaglianoWhen Brandon New took over as head football coach this year at St. Viator, a state playoff berth was only a distant thought. But after Friday’s 31-21 victory over Marian Catholic Friday at Forest View in Arlington Heights, the Lions appear to be on the cusp of their first playoff appearance in three years. “I am just happy for these boys,” New said. “They have put in so much time and so much work. We went from 2-7 from last year and able to resurrect the program.”

Fast greens trip Kaneland
By Kevin McGavinThere was a sense the Kaneland boys golf team was given a mighty reprieve in advancing out of its sectional on Monday.

Glenbard West won’t share Silver crown
By Brian PittsGlenbard West is a team that can beat you in many different ways — on the ground, in the air and on defense and special teams. York found that out firsthand in Friday’s West Suburban Silver showdown in Elmhurst.

Schaumburg stays sharp, gets win No. 7
By Michael EakenSchaumburg kept its focus on Friday night at Hoffman Estates, and now all eyes are on Palatine. The Saxons football team exploded for 30 second-quarter points en route to a convincing 57-7 Mid-Suburban League West victory over Hoffman Estates at Dennis Garber Stadium. The victory sets up a big matchup next Friday night when Schaumburg (7-1, 3-1) visits MSL West leader Palatine (7-1, 4-0) with the dvisional title at stake.

Meadows thinks outside the box, tops Hersey
By Ryan O’GaraRolling Meadows isn’t accustomed to winning like they did on Friday night at Roland Goins Stadium. But if teams are only going to put five guys in the box against the strong-armed Jack Milas, then the Mustangs are perfectly content to run the ball all night long. And Meadows did, as 3 rushing touchdowns and an aggressive defensive front-7 propelled the Mustangs to a 28-21 victory over Hersey in Mid-Suburban East play, keeping the Mustangs in a 3-way tie atop the East and eliminating the Huskies from playoff contention.

Willowbrook clinches playoffs
By Joshua WelgeDom Battaglia cradled the District 88 trophy like a newborn, tracing his fingers over Willowbrook wins gone by.This latest victory is one to cherish.The Warriors, 0-9 a year ago, capped a remarkable turnaround by beating District 88 rival Addison Trail 42-28 on Friday in Addison to clinch their first playoff berth since 2007.

Batavia wins showdown at St. Charles East
By John LemonA different core of players and a different way of winning a football game, but one thing remains the same: Batavia is Upstate Eight Conference River champions again.

Kuksa, Palatine ready for Barrington
Larry WeindruchFrom the look of the first half of Friday’s Mid-Suburban West football game at Barrington Community Stadium, you’d hardly notice that Palatine’s Cam Kuksa was seeing his first-game action since early in the season opener against Montini.He scored Palatine’s first touchdown in its 38-6 victory over the Broncos on a 10-yard run and combined with quarterback Ethan Olles on 8 passes for 102 yards and a 24-yard touchdown. For good measure, he also played defense for the Pirates (7-1, 4-0).

Benet hands Marist first loss
By Jason WattAfter a tough loss to Marist last season, Benet wanted to make sure the same outcome didn’t happen again this year. The Redwings made some adjustments and dominated its way to a 34-24 football victory on senior night at Benedictine University.

Minnesota forward gets yet another chance
Associated PressTrevor Mbakwe breathed a huge sigh of relief in April when the NCAA granted the star Minnesota forward a sixth season of eligibility, giving him one more chance in a college career full of them. That chance almost disappeared before his final season even started. Mbakwe was arrested on July 1 for driving while intoxicated and was sentenced on Sept. 10 to one year of probation and community service. Coach Tubby Smith considered kicking him off the team.

Lakes still perfect in Prairie
Daily Herald reportLakes 56, Vernon Hills 12: The Eagles maintained their first-place lead in the North Suburban Prairie, improving to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the division.Lakes can win their first outright NSC Prairie championship with a win against North Chicago next Friday.Vernon Hills (1-7, 0-5) lost its seventh straight.

Will finds its way as Warren wins a close one
By Joe AguilarWarren had Davonte Willcox. And will.Now the question is, will the Blue Devils clinch a playoff berth with a home win over Lake Zurich in their regular-season finale? Or will their thrilling, 21-18 win over visiting Lake Forest on a homecoming Friday night be enough to secure a postseason berth?A year after missing the playoffs for just the second time in the last 13 years, Warren (5-3, 3-2 North Suburban Lake Division) became playoff-eligible with a win that wasn’t sealed until Lake Forest (5-3, 2-3) missed a 39-yard field-goal attempt as time expired.“It feels great,” said Willcox, whose 1-yard touchdown run with 46 seconds left capped an exhausting fourth quarter in which both high-tempo offenses manufactured long scoring drives. “The last five minutes, I felt it was destined for us. I felt that was supposed to happen for us. We had five minutes left, and we were supposed to make plays, and we did. It’s a great feeling, on homecoming.”Lake Forest trailed the entire game, including 14-12 at halftime, but took the lead with 5:41 left in the fourth quarter on Stephen Cirame’s 4-yard run. The TD capped a 15-play, 81-yard drive.But Max Sorby’s 37-yard return on the ensuing kickoff set Warren up at its own 40. The 14-play scoring drive included Adam Reuss’ 19-yard completion to Javon Charleston on fourth-and-8 from the Lake Forest 23. Three plays later, Willcox, who had a 23-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, dived into the end zone, breaking the end-zone plane by inches.“The last drive, we knew we had to get it done,” said Willcox, who finished with 95 rushing yards on 19 carries. “We trusted each other to make plays, and that’s what we did.”“I guess we could have said, ‘Here we go. We’re in a hole,’ ” Warren coach Dave Mohapp said. “But the kids battled back and did a nice job. Good job by Willcox down there (on the goal line). Lake Forest has got a couple of studs up front, and it’s had to move those guys.”Lake Forest wasn’t done, though. With just 43 seconds on the clock, the Scouts marched from their own 36 to the Warren 22, scrambling to get off their last-second field-goal try, which missed wide left.“It’s been a tough stretch for us,” Mohapp said. “We’ve had a number of injuries with everyone on our team. We’re getting back to full strength. I thought the kids played hard against a good team. Man, that’s a tough team.”Lake Forest quarterback Andrew Clifford finished 29-of-44 passing for 229 yards and no interceptions. Reuss wasn’t picked off, either, as he completed 17 of 29 passes for 154 yards.

Glenbard North wins in final seconds
By Kevin SchmitEven Hector Ortiz — future hero — hoped for a Glenbard North touchdown. Not that the Panthers’ junior kicker was looking to avoid a pressure-cooking attempt at a game-winning field goal on Friday. He just figured the less drama the better. No such luck. Ortiz calmly nailed a 35-yard field goal in the waning seconds to give Glenbard North a stunning 17-15 win over previously-unbeaten Wheaton North in Carol Stream. Often on the wrong side of field goals through the years, Glenbard North’s dramatic boot from Ortiz gives the Panthers (7-1, 6-0) a guaranteed share of its first DuPage Valley Conference title since 1991. A Week 9 victory over Naperville North gives the Panthers the outright title.

Grayslake North wins this battle
By Patricia Babcock McGrawOn a football Friday in which Grayslake North paid tribute to the armed forces in what was billed as “America Day,” it was crosstown rival Grayslake Central that came out with some serious fight. The visiting Rams fired the first shot and dictated the tempo early. But Grayslake North ultimately proved to have more weapons (think quarterback A.J. Fish’s arm and legs) in the arsenal, rallying from a 7-point deficit to cruise to a 49-7 running clock victory that maintains a spotless record (5-0) in the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division.

Kaneland stays unbeaten without David
By Eric BridgesWith a full house at Kaneland’s Peterson Field Friday, it was two pair that won the game for the Knights. Kaneland improved to 8-0 and 4-0 in the Northern Illinois Big 12 East conference by defeating Sycamore (5-3, 2-2) 30-7.

Borsellino, Montini come back to beat Aurora Christian
By Paul LothMontini’s Joe Borsellino recovered an Aurora Christian fumble with two minutes left in the fourth quarter and scored the winning touchdown a minute later as Montini came from behind to defeat Suburban Christian Blue rival Aurora Christian 31-27 in Lombard on Friday night.

Logano wins Nationwide event at Charlotte
Associated PressIt’s hard to bet against Joey Logano these days when it comes to the Nationwide Series. Logano raced to his eighth Nationwide Series victory of the year Friday night, passing Brad Keselowski with eight laps to go after taking on two tires and a splash of gas.

Penn State hockey makes its long-awaited debut
Associated PressPenn State’s Division I ice hockey program went live in Happy Valley Friday night. In front of a sold-out crowd, the Nittany Lions debuted under coach Guy Gadowsky. Amid all the pomp and circumstance, there was a game to be played, and though Penn State dropped a 3-2 decision to American International in overtime, it’s clear the program is headed in the right direction.

Grant knows drama in cliffhanger against Round Lake
By Matt MisiekFriday night’s North Suburban Prairie matchup between Grant and Round Lake provided many twists and turns in a plot that would make any network programming executive envious. After a five-minute delay due to a dispute over a non-penalty call and a Round Lake timeout, Grant kicker Cody Meyer drilled a 24-yard field goal with 4 seconds left to give the visiting Bulldogs a heartstopping 17-14 victory over the Panthers.

Notre Dame, Big East talk about early exit for Irish
Associated PressNotre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick has had “very preliminary conversations” with Big East officials about the Fighting Irish leaving the conference before the required 27-month notification period ends.

Low score, high spirits for Libertyville
By Mike McGrawLibertyville was missing some pieces on offense, but didn't need to do much. The defense pitched its second straight shutout and fill-in running back Joey Salata ran for 124 yards as the Wildcats beat Zion-Benton 17-0.

Schrader, Lake Zurich defense turn away Stevenson
By Jeff NewtonConnor Schrader's second scoring run of the night, combined with a record-setting defensive effort, helped Lake Zurich earn a hard-fought 21-14 win over visiting Stevenson in a North Suburban Conference Lake Division contest. The win was the first by the Bears over the Patriots since 2007. The victory also secured a playoff berth for Lake Zurich (6-2, 4-1) and kept alive a shot at a conference title.

Huskies win another Naperville classic
By Lindsey WillhiteIt doesn’t matter whether Naperville Central and Naperville North are dueling for DuPage Valley Conference supremacy or desperate to remain in playoff contention. Their games always turn out to be classics.

Glenbard South tones out Ridgewood
By Orrin SchwarzNeeding a victory, Glenbard South set the tone for Friday’s football game on the opening kickoff. Glenbard South became eligible for the Class 6A playoffs with a 56-14 victory against Ridgewood in Glen Ellyn. It also finished the Metro Suburban Conference portion of its schedule 3-1, half a game ahead of Riverside-Brookfield and Elmwood Park, both at 2-1.

Nationals blow 6-0 lead, lose series to Cards
Associated PressThe Washington Nationals finally brought winning baseball back to the nation’s capital. They also collapsed in the postseason in a way that will be tough to live down. The Nationals’ historic season came to an end Friday night with a 9-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the NL division series. A roster flush with postseason neophytes blew a six-run lead against the experienced club that won the World Series a year ago.

St. Patrick edges Carmel with field goals in OT
By Rusty SilberSt. Patrick edged Carmel 6-3 in two overtimes in an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Mundelein on Friday. St. Patrick place kicker Juan Gonzalez sent an 18-yard field goal through the uprights for the winning score. Carmel (2-6, 2-4) dropped its third straight game and third home game of the season.

Gregoire leads Cary-Grove to 8th straight
By Matt StacionisAll week long, sophomore quarterback Jason Gregoire knew that his Cary-Grove teammates were going to support him. Fullback Kyle Norberg let Gregorie know he had his back right away. On the Trojans’ first offensive play, Norberg ripped the Dundee-Crown defense on a 63-yard run setting the tone for the rest of the game. Norberg finished with 329 yards and 3 touchdowns and a fully confident Gregoire made the most of his first start with 2 scores as Cary-Grove (8-0, 5-0) remained unbeaten with its 46-13 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division victory over the Chargers (3-5, 1-4) Friday night in Carpentersville.

Woodstock North rattles Hampshire
By Allen OshinskiThe Fox Valley Conference’s first-ever game in Fairbanks, Alaska between Hampshire and Woodstock North was a huge success, and the conference would like to hold more games in exotic locales, preferably Jamaica or Cancun. But seriously, it only felt like Alaska in northern Woodstock, but the Thunder put the Whip-Purs’ offense in a deep freeze in a 46-14 Fox Division win.

Prospect hustles by Wheeling
By John JuetnnerFriday’s football game between Prospect and visiting Wheeling turned on a hustle play early in the fourth quarter. Trailing 14-7, Wheeling possessed the ball on Prospect’s 4-yard-line and faced a fourth-and-3. The play broke down, and sophomore quarterback Amani Dennis scrambled around a couple Prospect defenders, but was giving ground as he did so. Prospect senior defensive end Mike Houghton was finally able to corral Dennis for a 17-yard loss to give the Knights the ball. On the ensuing drive, Prospect quarterback Devin O’Hara scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to give the Knights a 21-7 lead, which wound up being the game’s final score.

Leyden clinches West title outright
Daily Herald reportLeyden clinched its first outright West Suburban Conference divisional title since 1979 by beating Proviso East 18-7 on Friday night to wrap up the Gold crown.The Eagles (7-1, 6-0) complete their regular season with a divisional crossover matchup at Lyons in Week 9.Proviso East dropped to 0-8.

Playoff wins for Prospect, WheelingDaily Herald reportProspect got a pair of first-half goals from Alex Whiteman to jump ahead of visiting Hoffman Estates on the way to a 3-0 victory in a play-in game of the Hoffman Estates sectional on Friday.Matt Wruskyj provided a second-half goal for the Knights (7-8-4), who next meet Palatine in a 4:30 p.m. Tuesday matchup in Hoffman Estates sectional play.Steven Carlson and Jack Cooney split time in net to earn the shutout for Prospect, and Zach Tuczak assisted on one of Whiteman’s goals.Wheeling 5, Rolling Meadows 4 (2 OT): Jose Garcia’s goals in the second overtime, assisted by Frankie Estrada, lifted the host Wildcats. Garcia also scored in the second half and assisted on the other three Wheeling goals.

Oh, brother: Elk Grove rolls past Buffalo Grove
By Connor O’Gara Elk Grove junior quarterback Adam O’Malley had a lot of responsibilities on Friday night. O’Malley had to make reads on defensive ends to know whether or not to keep the ball. He had to read Buffalo Grove’s base cover three defense to hit his receivers downfield. On top of that, O’Malley had to grant his mom her wish. “My mom was preaching, ‘It’s senior night. Get your brother in the game,’” O’Malley said. O’Malley (9-for-13, 141 yards passing, two TD passes) did exactly that by leading Elk Grove (5-3, 3-1) to a 42-7 win against Buffalo Grove (1-7, 0-4), which allowed his older brother and understudy, Patrick, to get into the game in the fourth quarter on senior night.

Fremd goes old school for big win
By Howard SchlossbergA single wing and a dare. Fremd dared to play the old-style offense Friday night, virtually forced to by its available personnel. And the Vikings played it like they were living in the throwback era when it was popularized. With as many as five different players taking direct snaps on offense, the Vikings rolled up 317 yards rushing, or their entire total offense output, in a must-win 48-7 home victory over Conant.

Wauconda meets Antioch’s challenge
By John BumbalesWith a football playoff appearance in the balance, host Wauconda and Antioch were in a do or die situation Friday night in their North Suburban Conference Prairie Division battle. The Sequoits stayed relatively close and trailed 20-6 at halftime. But Wauconda’s all-around effort was too much for Antioch to handle as the Bulldogs rolled to a 33-6 victory to become eligible for the 5A playoffs with one game left in the regular season next Friday against Libertyville.

Stevenson's Miller, Prospect in state title contentionBy John Leusch
After day one of the Class AA girls golf state tournament in Decatur, Stevenson senior Stephanie Miller finds herself in the exact same spot as two years ago when she won the individual championship. Miller is once again leading the field.Prospect finds itself in the exact opposite spot as last year when it won the team championship.Instead of leading New Trier by 4 strokes, the second-place Knights are trailing the Trevians by 4.Both the individual and team titles will be determined today at the Hickory Point Golf Course with a 9 a.m. shotgun start due to possible adverse weather conditions that could hit the area.

No. 1 Marian Central routs St. Edward
By Brian SchaumburgSt. Edward football coach Mike Rolando knew Friday’s game against Marian Central was going to be a tough task. He was right. The Hurricanes scored on their first five drives and added a fumble return for a touchdown all in the first half of a 52-6 Suburban Christian Conference victory over the Green Wave at Greg True Field in Elgin.

East ends skid at Maine West’s expense
Daily Herald reportOne long losing streak ended — but another got a little longer.Host Maine East snapped its five-game skid on Friday night against Maine West with a 13-7 decision in Central Suburban North play.The Warriors (1-7, 0-4) saw their losing streak hit seven, while Maine East improved to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the CSL North.

Sabathia, Yankees beat Orioles, advance to ALCS Associated PressYankees-Orioles. Playoffs. Disputed home run to right field. Yankees win. Sound familiar?CC Sabathia and his New York teammates saw Nate McLouth’s long drive called foul by the slimmest of margins — hello, Jeffrey Maier — and then hung on to beat Baltimore 3-1 Friday in the deciding Game 5 of the AL division series.

Eddie Johnson scores twice in 2-1 U.S. victory
Associated PressEddie Johnson rewarded his coach’s faith in him — twice. In his first game back with the U.S. national team, Johnson scored twice Friday night, including the winning goal in second-half injury time, lifting the United States to the verge of advancing in World Cup qualifying with a nervous 2-1 victory over Antigua and Barbuda.

St. Edward claims Class 1A regional crown
By Jonathan JonesWestminster Christian and St. Edward have always known for playing competitive battles decided by close decisions. Friday afternoon’s Class 1A Westminster Christian boys soccer regional final was no different as St. Edward (10-12) edged out Westminster Christian 2-1. The Green Wave rushed the field in their first regional title plaque since 2004 and just the second in program history.

Familiar leaders in boys golf state tournament
By Kevin McGavinNaperville North, Hinsdale Central and Lyons share the lead in the Class 3A boys golf state tournament after Friday's first round. Those squads are quite familiar with one another after having qualified out of the same sectional.

Wolves, IceHogs kick off AHL season Saturday night
By Tim SassoneThere will be pro hockey played in town Saturday night. But instead of the Blackhawks hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center in what would have been their regular-season opener, it will be the Chicago Wolves against the Rockford IceHogs at Allstate Arena. “During the last work stoppage in 2004 is when some of the best hockey was played in the American Hockey League,” said Wolves coach Scott Arniel.

To Alter, playoffs the Holy Grail
By Patricia Babcock McGrawCatching up with Sky owner Michael Alter and Sky president Adam Fox in the wake of another playoff miss for Chicago's WNBA franchise.

Persistence pays for Prospect’s Johnson, Barrington downstate
By Bill EsbrookProspect junior Josh Johnson refused to get down on himself after struggling in the early going at Friday’s Class 3A boys state golf championship tournament in Bloomington. Johnson started his round triple-bogey/bogey on the first two holes, but instead of giving up, the junior tore up the Fox Creek Golf Course the rest of the way. His final 16 holes were played with in 1-over par, a stunning turnaround that saw Johnson finish the day in the top 20 individually with a 5-over 77. Barrington remains in the team title hunt in sixth place, but just 11 strokes behind leader Hinsdale Central.

Northern Illinois' Baxter a MythBusterBy Mike McGraw
One would imagine Alan Baxter grew tired of the surprised looks long ago. The Buffalo Grove native is a standout defensive end for Northern Illinois, the team leader with 5 sacks. He’s been a big part of the Huskies’ ascension to Mid-American Conference powerhouse. But he’s not necessarily what someone might expect from a defensive end.

Minnesota, Northwestern aiming to get back on trackBy Dave Campbell
The adage suggests Northwestern won’t be successful with Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian sharing time at the sport’s most important position: “If you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have one.” Whether their plan can lead to a prominent bowl game or not, there’s no doubt that the Wildcats have a lot to offer on offense. “They do it probably more effectively than some of the other people have done it, because I don’t think it’s easy to figure out,” Minnesota coach Jerry Kill said.

Sore Buckeyes hope to maintain hex on IndianaAssociated PressOn paper, there’s little doubt about which team has the edge. The Buckeyes are the Big Ten’s highest-ranked team, its only unbeaten team and can lean on Heisman Trophy candidate Braxton Miller to bail them out of all kinds of trouble. The Hoosiers, meanwhile, have lost 10 straight conference games and 20 straight league games against teams outside of Indiana, dating to a win over Illinois in the middle of the 2009 season.

Irish look to get physical with Stanford
By Tom CoyneOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame wants to slug it out with Stanford. The seventh-ranked Fighting Irish (5-0) were pushed around by the Cardinal (4-1) the past two seasons, and Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is challenging his players to go toe-to-toe with No. 17 Stanford on Saturday.“The theme all week has been, we’re going to be in for a physical, hard-nosed, four quarters, of just one of those good old-fashioned backyard brawls. It’s going to be that kind of game,” Kelly said. “We got our guys thinking about that on Monday and kept building through the week. That’s really been the theme this week for our football team.”

A-Rod benched by Yankees for Game 5 vs Orioles
Associated PressAlex Rodriguez will start the New York Yankees’ biggest game of the year on the bench. After being pinch hit for in Games 3 and 4 against the Baltimore Orioles, the $275 million third baseman was removed from the starting lineup for Game 5 on Friday.

A steroids-free Rodriguez can’t do the jobBy Mike NorthAlex Rodriguez, without steroids, just doesn't cut it for the New York Yankees anymore, says Mike North. And while A-Rod's career is fading, his salary through the 2017 season sure doesn't. North also shares his thoughts on the late Alex Karras, the great Detroit Lion player who delivered ones of the most iconic lines in movie history.

Fantasy football: Go ahead, panic and take a chanceWhen it comes to fantasy football, however, I’m OK with sounding the alarm, especially when a team is 0-5 or 1-4 or when a player (Antonio Gates) is causing so much pain (Jermichael Finley) that you are considering surgically removing him from your starting lineup. So let’s go ahead and focus on a few top-tier tight ends who are causing fantasy owners heart palpitations on a weekly basis.

Hardy, Orioles beat Yankees in 13th, force Game 5 Associated pressWith midnight approaching, the Baltimore Orioles' bats awoke one more time. Now they'll get a last shot to finally overtake the New York Yankees. J.J. Hardy hit an RBI double in the 13th inning and Baltimore bounced back from a demoralizing loss to outlast the Yankees 2-1 Thursday night, forcing a deciding Game 5 in the AL division series.

A’s eliminated with 6-0 loss to Tigers in Game 5
Associated PressThe Oakland Athletics finally encountered the one hurdle too tough to overcome in this surprising season: Justin Verlander. The A’s struck out 11 times against last year’s AL Cy Young winner and MVP and were unable to complete an improbable comeback in the AL division series, losing Game 5 to the Detroit Tigers 6-0 on Thursday night.

Bironas’ FG gives Titans 26-23 win over Steelers
Associated PressThe Tennessee Titans have bought themselves a little breathing room with a much-needed victory, and the Pittsburgh Steelers still can’t win away from Heinz Field. Rob Bironas kicked his fourth field goal, a 40-yarder as time expired, and the Titans beat the Steelers 26-23 on Thursday night to snap a two-game skid.

Business

Shuttle Xing: Endeavour treks through LA streetsAssociated PressIt's a surreal sight residents won't soon forget: A hulking space shuttle strutting down city streets, pausing every so often to get its bearings as it creeps toward retirement. Endeavour's terrestrial journey began before dawn Friday when it departed from the Los Angeles International Airport. Over two days, it will trundle 12 miles at a top speed of 2 mph to its final destination — the California Science Center where it will be the centerpiece of a new exhibit.

Reports: Smaller iPad to be revealed October 23
Associated PressApple Inc. is set to reveal a smaller, cheaper version of the iPad at an event on Oct. 23, according to several reports published Friday.The reports from Bloomberg News, Reuters and the AllThingsD blog are based on unnamed sources “familiar with the plans.”Apple Inc. hasn’t said anything about a smaller tablet, a concept company founder Steve Jobs derided two years ago. But company-watchers have assumed for months that an “iPad mini” will appear before the holiday season.The screen is reportedly about half the size of the iPad’s, which measures 9.7 inches diagonally. Analysts speculate the starting price of the device could be about $299.With the device, Apple could close an opening in the tablet market for rivals like Amazon.com Inc., whose Kindle Fire is half the size of the iPad and starts at $199. Google Inc. and Barnes and Noble Inc. also sell tablets in the same size and price range.Apple’s event would occur three days before Microsoft Corp. releases Windows 8, the new version of its operating system. Microsoft will be releasing its “Surface” tablets with the software.Apple’s stock rose $1.61 on Friday to close at $629.71.

American says it will work on seats on more planes
Associated PressDALLAS — American Airlines says it will modify seats on 49 more planes to prevent rows of seats from coming loose during flight.It’s addressing the same problem that caused the airline to ground 48 planes last week — the seat rows aren’t locking properly into tracks on the floor.Crews will add a “secondary locking device” to seats in most of American’s Boeing 767s, spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said Friday. Those are wide-body planes used on international flights.Seats came loose on three U.S. flights involving two different Boeing 757s earlier this month. There have been no similar mid-flight incidents with the Boeing 767s, but the airline is reinforcing the locking systems as a precaution, Huguely said.Work started late Thursday and will be done by Oct. 21, she said. The work will be done overnight and the airline won’t have to cancel any flights this time. It canceled at least 94 flights because of seat problems with the 757s.American said the Federal Aviation Administration has approved its plan for working on the seats, including the ability to keep flying planes that have not yet undergone the modifications. The FAA did not immediately comment.The seats on both types of planes are made by Weber Aircraft LLC, which did not immediately return calls for comment.Loose seats on the 757s raised safety concerns and turned into a public-relations nightmare for American, the nation’s third-largest airline, which has been flying under bankruptcy protection since last November.American first gave one explanation for the problem aboard its 757s, then gave another two days later, saying pins that hold the seats to the floor had become gummed up over time from dirt and by passengers spilling sodas and coffee.

Profits soar at 2 largest mortgage lendersAssociated PressIs the mortgage market really back? The country's two biggest mortgage lenders, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase, reported Friday that a surge in home lending pushed them to record profits. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon declared that the housing market "has turned the corner." Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf said that "every quarter, we have more confidence."

US runs a 4th straight $1 trillion-plus budget gapBloombergThe United States has now spent $1 trillion more than it's taken in for four straight years. The Treasury Department confirmed Friday what was widely expected: The deficit for the just-ended 2012 budget year — the gap between the government's tax revenue and its spending — totaled $1.1 trillion. It wasn't quite as ugly as last year.

Stock market has its worst week since JuneAssociated PressStocks closed out their worst week since June after investors looked over third-quarter corporate earnings reports and decided there wasn't much to get excited about. The big indexes were mixed on Friday. But they were all down more than 2 percent for the week. That was their worst weekly showing since the Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 3 percent for the week ending June 1.

Organizers also gauging interest in a food cooperative
By Susan SarkauskasShoppers are being urged to "cash mob" the Batavia Farmers Market Saturday, to show support for local business. And after buying their meat and vegetables there, organizers would like them to stick around to talk about forming a food cooperative.

Sears' Hometown spinoff edges lower in debutAssociated Press
Shares of Sears Holdings Corp.'s spinoff of its Hometown and Outlet Stores are declining on its debut trading day. The Hoffman Estates-based company, which runs Kmart and Sears stores, had signaled in February that it would split off Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. as a separate publicly traded entity.

Expanding software maker Lemko moves from Schaumburg to Itasca
Daily Herald Staff ReportLemko Corp., a global software maker for the mobile wireless network, has moved its corporate headquarters from Schaumburg to Itasca to accommodate its growth. The company signed a long-term lease for 22,347 square feet at One Pierce Place in Itasca.

Swiss rail licenses use of iconic clocks to Apple
Associated PressApple Inc. has struck a deal with Switzerland’s national rail company to license the use of its iconic station clocks for the iOS 6 operating system, which is used by iPhone and iPad mobile devices.

U.S. wholesale prices jump 1.1 percent in September
Associated PressA second month of sharp gains in gasoline costs drove wholesale prices higher in September. But outside of the surge in energy, prices were well contained. Wholesale prices rose 1.1 percent in September following a 1.7 percent gain in August which had been the largest one-month increase in more than three years, the Labor Department said Friday.

Despite debt crisis, EU wins Nobel Peace Prize
Associated PressThe European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize for fostering peace on a continent ravaged by war, yet the Norwegian prize jury warned Friday that the financial crisis challenging the bloc’s unity could lead to a return to “extremism and nationalism.”

More retailers object to credit card settlement
Associated PressA group of retailers and trade groups is launching a last-ditch effort to stop a proposed multibillion-dollar settlement that Visa Inc., MasterCard Inc. and major banks have agreed to pay retailers for alleged fee fixing.

Feds investigate brake problem in Honda Pilot
Associated PressU.S. safety officials are investigating brake problems in the Honda Pilot SUV. The probe covers nearly 88,000 Pilots from the 2005 model year. Investigators will determine if the problem is bad enough for Honda to recall the SUVs. The Pilot is a big seller with families because of its space and reputation for quality.

Wells Fargo earnings rise in 3Q as loan book grows
Associated PressWells Fargo posted record earnings in the third quarter as the bank increased mortgage lending and pocketed more fees. Wells, the nation’s biggest mortgage lender, expanded its loan portfolio by making new loans to consumers. It collected more interest on loans than in the same period a year earlier.

Walgreen reminded of European risks with Celesio's flopBloomberg News
Ralf Daeinghaus sold his DocMorris online pharmacy to Celesio AG in 2007 for about $258 million, and the buyer set in motion an expansion plan to bring lower- cost drugs to more European consumers. Five years later, Celesio has written down the value of DocMorris and put the business up for sale, stymied by laws against corporate ownership of drugstores.

Kraft Foods said to seek buyer for Breakstone's dairy busines Bloomberg News
Kraft Foods Group Inc. is putting its Breakstone’s sour cream and cottage cheese business up for sale, less than two weeks after its predecessor’s split, said people with knowledge of the situation. The business may be worth about $400 million, said two of the people, who asked not to be named since the process is private. The company began pursuing a sale after its century-old forerunner’s breakup on Oct. 1, which separated the Kraft grocery business from Mondelez International Inc., the snacks division that operates mainly overseas.

U.S.: Hackers in Iran responsible for cyberattacksAssociated PressU.S. authorities believe that Iranian-based hackers were responsible for cyberattacks that devastated Persian Gulf oil and gas companies, a former U.S. government official said. Just hours later, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the cyberthreat from Iran has grown, and he declared that the Pentagon is prepared to take action if American is threatened by a computer-based assault.

Fewer U.S. layoffs no longer suggest strong hiring Associated PressDeclining applications for unemployment benefits have typically pointed to stronger hiring. Not so much anymore. Since the U.S. recession officially ended in June 2009, fewer layoffs have meant fewer people seeking unemployment aid. On Thursday, for example, the government said first-time applications for benefits hit a 4½-year low. Yet job growth remains sluggish. That was evident last week in the government's jobs report for September.

U.S. jobs relief wears off in markets Associated Press
Stocks drifted lower Friday after big gains the day, when U.S. jobs figures came in stronger than expected, and as investors awaited earnings from major banks, starting with JP Morgan Chase & Co.

IMF, World Bank chiefs urge focus on fair growth
Associated PressCountries should not sacrifice growth for the sake of austerity, the head of the International Monetary Fund told global financial leaders Friday, urging that the pace of work on bringing down debt be tempered by spending to help get the unemployed back to work.Balancing those sometimes competing priorities is the central puzzle facing policymakers as the world economy, even in dynamic Asia, slows further, IMF chief Christine Lagarde told finance leaders at the IMF and World Bank annual meeting in Tokyo.

Oil prices rise after U.S. jobless claims fall
Associated PressThe price of oil rose slightly Friday after a big fall in U.S. unemployment benefit claims suggested some improvement in the world’s biggest economy, raising expectations for increased demand for energy.Benchmark oil for November delivery was up 2 cents to $92.09 per barrel at late afternoon Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract gained 82 cents to close at $92.07 per barrel in New York on Thursday.

WikiLeaks fundraising stunt draws Anonymous ire
Associated PressA fundraising campaign by secret-busting website WikiLeaks has drawn the ire of the Anonymous movement, sparking an online spat which suggests a rift between WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange and some of his most vigorous supporters.Recently parts of WikiLeaks’ website have disappeared behind a banner asking that users either make a donation or publicize the fundraising campaign on their Facebook or Twitter pages.

Ahead of the Bell: Sears completes spinoff
Associated PressHoffman Estates-based Sears Holdings has completed the spinoff of its Hometown and Outlet stores. The Hoffman Estates, Ill., company had signaled in February that it would split off the companies as a separate publicly traded entity.Sears Holdings Corp. received $446.5 million in gross proceeds. This included a cash dividend of $100 million paid by Sears Hometown before the spinoff and $346.5 million in proceeds from the rights offering.

Samsung unveils smaller, cheaper Galaxy S III
Associated PressSamsung Electronics Co. has unveiled a smaller and cheaper version of the Galaxy S III smartphone with the same screen size as the iPhone 5. Samsung says the Galaxy S III mini features a screen measuring 4 inches diagonally, smaller than the Galaxy S III’s 4.8 inch display but the same as Apple’s iPhone 5, which was Apple’s first upgrade of the iPhone screen size.

Life & Entertainment

'Hello. I have cancer.' Comedian finds humor in catharsisBy Jake Coyle
A frightfully nervous Tig Notaro stood just offstage at the Los Angeles club Largo while Ed Helms introduced her. The audience of 300 and Notaro's fellow performers that August night had no idea what she was about to do. They had no idea she was going to address the trauma and pain that had been the last few months of her life, or relay the bad news she had received just days earlier. They had no idea she was about to perform the bravest set they had ever seen.

Chimney ‘pillow’ can be first step to get you ready for winter
By Susan StraightJohn Bristol's 4,500-square-foot, four-level colonial in Chevy Chase, Md., would have been pricey to heat even without air leaks but the two rooms with wood-burning fireplaces were always cold in winter. He said he believed it was caused by air passing through the chimney flues.

Playwright Tracy Letts revels in his Midwestern roots Associated PressSteppenwolf ensemble member Tracy Letts is so polite that he warns you right away that he makes a terrible subject of a story. “Midwestern people don’t make for good interviews,” says the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright and actor, who proudly makes his home in Chicago. “We’re taught to hide our light, in a sense.” Currently, he’s booked to play George in an open-ended revival of Edward Albee’s bruising “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” on Broadway.

CST brings insightful direction, top-tier talent to Sondheim's 'Sunday'By Barbara Vitello
For several magnificent minutes at the conclusion of the first act of Chicago Shakespeare Theater's superb “Sunday in the Park with George,” everything 19th century painter Georges Seurat strives for in his art, comes together in Stephen Sondheim's music. The leitmotifs, staccato and dissonance of the first act give way to the sumptuous “Sunday,” which begins as a whisper and crescendos to a glorious refrain. It emerges as a defining moment in director Gary Griffin's exquisite production.

'Walking Dead' comes back to life for third season By Frazier Moore
It's crunch time. “The Walking Dead” returns on AMC for a third season at 8 p.m. Sunday. Millions of fans will be tuned in, ravenous for what awaits the zombie-beset mortals on the first of 16 episodes. To appraise the new season or, for that matter, to explain the series' appeal is somewhat of a fool's mission: You either get “The Walking Dead” or you don't.

JD's Q and Brew doesn't miss a beat By Deborah Pankey
Daily Herald Food Editor
Before you even walk in the door at JD's Q & Brew you can tell — make that smell — that good things await inside. An enticing sweet and smokey aroma surrounds the casual barbecue joint, and if I could take a picture of it, I imagine the aura encircling the Rand Road eatery would resemble the clouds hovering around Venus. Once you pull into the parking lot you cannot escape the gravitational pull, nor would you want to.

A hauntin' you will go — by trolley, boat or even SegwayBy Scott Morgan
When most people think of local ghost tours, they picture crowds piling in and out of tour busses or following storytelling guides on foot. But nowadays spectral-seeking groups can also choose from ghost tours on bikes, boats and high-tech Segways. There's even a special tour where you can bring along your dressed-up dog. Many dedicated ghost tours plan special options in October, while other sightseeing tours add some Halloween flavor.

Key to a stunning lager is subtlety
By Daniel FromsonSubtle creature in a flavor-intense realm: Does that sound like a lager to you? That’s how brew master Jason Oliver describes the type of smooth, cold-fermented beers that attract attention when Oktoberfest rolls around.

'Black n Blue' paints unsettling portrait of abuse By Barbara Vitello
Dael Orlandersmith doesn't make things easy for audiences. Her solo play “Black n Blue Boys/Broken Men” is a gripping, unsettling work that examines in vivid, often wrenching detail the seemingly endless cycle of violence and abuse — both physical and emotional — that sweeps up “at-risk” young boys, batters them throughout their teens, and spits out men so damaged they may never recover.

Zedd aces his freshman album test
Associated PressGerman electro-house producer Zedd is out with his debut album, “Clarity,” a solid full-length starter that showcases his knack for honing danceable tracks to a fine point of perfection. There are some delicious tracks here, from the immediate urgency of “Shave It Up” to “Codec,” a full-on foot-stomper with an incessant beat that refuses to give you a moment’s rest.

No more sad songs for Vivian Green
Associated PressLongtime fans of singer-songwriter Vivian Green won’t be disappointed with her new album, “The Green Room,” as she returns with a more R&B sound on a record that oozes growth and creativity. Stepping away from heartbreak ballads, it seems the Philadelphia-born Green has made a conscious effort to focus on the happier side of love. That’s a decision sure to satisfy fans.

Neighborhood feature: Lake Claire Estates, Prospect Heights
By Sherry GiewaldBob and Kathy Korvas moved to Lake Claire Estates neighborhood in 1984. The couple bought a beautiful home in the Prospect heights neighborhood, which sits east of Wheeling Road and north of Camp McDonald Road, and they love living in the subdivision.

Follow these tips to safely get your yard ready for winter
By Al and Kelly CarrellWell, it’s that time of year again — time to clean up the yard at the end of the season. Don’t let “fall” mean that you fall off your ladder. Follow some of our favorite tips for a faster and safer fall-free cleanup.

Nation’s oldest botanical garden thrives
By Lee ReichHe was America’s first botanist, and his garden is still one of the best. John Bartram was called “the greatest natural botanist in the world” and his garden is a convenient stop during a visit to Philadelphia, just minutes from the Liberty Bell.

Home inspectors avoid lawsuits over asbestos comments
By Barry StoneQ. If a home inspector knew there was asbestos in a building that was being renovated, shouldn’t he have said something? In this case, a safety officer finally shut down the project. Is the home inspector liable for not warning us about asbestos?

Home equity lending has returned, but rates vary widely
By Ken HarneyIf you have a pressing need to raise some cash, here’s some good news: Rising home values are encouraging lenders to revive a product that imploded during the housing bust years — second mortgages and equity lines of credit.

Area Latino RE/MAX agents named to national Top 250 list
Nine RE/MAX agents in Chicago and the suburbs — and 33 RE/MAX sales associates nationally — were named to the Top 250 Latino Real Estate Agents in the U.S., as ranked by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals.

The year of the woman
By Kathleen ParkerColumnist Kathleen Parker: Women do not require special handling because for the most part they do not think of themselves first or primarily as women. This is the big news for those men who failed to take note.

Regulations have kept consumers safe
An Ingleside letter to the editor: Today, where possible, cleaned up failed banks are merged into other banks. The bad loans are taken by regulators and charged against “insurance” with premiums that are paid by member banks. Nobody goes to jail. In short, we have been once more set up for a second massive monetary collapse, because the controls that could have prevented this have been taken away.

When unions win, the rest of us lose
A Hoffman Estates letter to the editor: Going forward, teachers should take their picket signs to unemployment centers and see how much sympathy they can receive from those who need a job of any kind.

Put blame for deaths where it belongs
A Palatine letter to the editor: In all my years, I have never heard of anything so stupid as the order given that the Marine guards at our embassies were not to have live ammo. I guess they were to use spit balls or call 911.

Stop the abuse of disability claims
An Arlington Heights letter to the editor: I was dismayed to see a “60 seconds” story that claimed “Disability claims unscrutinized.” If there ever was a situation that required attention, it is the misuse and abuse of this well-intentioned government program.

Skip trash talk; focus on issues
A St. Charles letter to the editor: Thoughtfully consider that every moment spent listening to one side trash the other is time taken from vetting potential solutions. Vacuous diatribes might be sporty, and there is certainly no shortage of them. But they are hardly the stuff of constructive ideas and we should take care not to spend so much time absorbing such pernicious horse hockey.

Support Walsh in ‘David and Goliath’ battle
A Pingree Grove letter to the editor: There is a David and Goliath fight in this election. The “David” is Joe Walsh, who is armed only with the simple truth. The truth is we are spending too much, regulating too much and taxing too much, and it is all for the benefit of the growth of federal government.

Obama can’t ignore terror attack
A Huntley letter to the editor: Why was our guard down on Sept. 11 when we knew something was being planned? Obama is trying to ignore the issue and that a terror attack happened on his watch because he believed that he had slowed the rise of the oceans and healed the Earth.

America sure has been transformed
A Wheaton letter to the editor: In regard to Fence Post rants about “tax breaks for the rich” being so terrible, with no factual justification for the negative slant, I submit the following facts:

How did we let
this happen?
A Naperville letter to the editor: What is going on in our country during this election season? When did we all lose respect for anyone who doesn’t agree with us? When did think we were so arrogant as to think anyone one of us — or group of us — has the only right answer?

Refinance program not fair for all
A Glen Ellyn letter to the editor: What do you call it when the majority is favored and the minority is left out? Discrimination and bias might come to mind. What would you think if that is what a federal program is doing? It is called HARP, for Home Affordable Housing Refinance Program.